Nothing Phone CMF 2 Pro Review (2025): Best Budget Smartphone Under ₹20,000?

In a world dominated by flashy flagship smartphones, there's a growing demand for affordable devices that still feel premium. Enter the Nothing Phone CMF 2 Pro, the latest release from Nothing’s sub-brand CMF, designed for those who want something cool, capable, and cost-effective. If you're wondering whether this phone deserves your attention in 2025, let's dive into the full story.


First Look and Feel

At first glance, the CMF 2 Pro doesn’t scream budget phone. In fact, it stands out with a modern, minimalist design language that’s become Nothing’s signature. The phone feels solid in the hand, measuring 7.8mm thin and weighing around 6.5 ounces. It’s slim, light, and looks more expensive than it is.

One of the standout features here is the customizable back covers and accessory port. You can literally switch up the phone's look in seconds or add modular accessories. It’s fun, personal, and honestly, something more phones should offer.

The build quality is equally impressive. Even though it's not made of metal or glass like some premium devices, the matte finish and sturdy construction give the CMF 2 Pro a high-end feel. The design also reflects Nothing’s unique identity—subtle branding, clean lines, and a simplicity that speaks volumes.

If you enjoy standing out with your tech without being too flashy, this is a design that will probably win you over.


Great Screen for Everyday Use

The CMF 2 Pro sports a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, and yes, it’s as good as it sounds. With a 1080x2392 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 2000 nits, the screen feels punchy and responsive. Whether you're binge-watching Netflix, gaming, or just scrolling, the experience is super smooth.

And let’s talk brightness – this thing gets bright enough to use comfortably under the summer sun. The colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and it has those crisp, clean visuals you'd expect from pricier devices.

More importantly, the 120Hz refresh rate makes a massive difference in daily usage. Scrolling through apps, switching tasks, or playing fast-paced games feels fluid. If you’re coming from a phone with a 60Hz or even 90Hz screen, you’ll definitely notice the upgrade.

Nothing also includes features like Always-On Display, which gives you quick access to notifications without draining your battery. It’s small touches like these that make the CMF 2 Pro feel smart and thoughtful.


Fast and Smooth Performance

Under the hood, Nothing's packed in the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset. Don’t let the name fool you – this 4nm processor is efficient and surprisingly powerful for a mid-range phone. Everyday tasks, multitasking, and even casual gaming are handled smoothly.

Apps open quickly, transitions are snappy, and lag is rarely noticeable. If you're someone who juggles multiple apps—like messaging, social media, music streaming, and browser tabs—the CMF 2 Pro handles it all gracefully.

Gaming performance is decent too. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, and Asphalt 9 run at medium to high settings without overheating or stuttering. The thermal management is well-optimized, and the large AMOLED screen makes gaming feel immersive.

Coupled with 128GB or 256GB of storage, this phone easily accommodates your apps, photos, and media. The UFS 2.2storage ensures fast read/write speeds, which further improves app performance.


Camera That Does More

Here’s where the CMF 2 Pro levels up from its predecessor. It rocks a triple-camera setup:

  • 50MP wide sensor (with dual-pixel PDAF) for crisp, high-quality shots.
  • 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom that brings distant subjects closer without losing detail.
  • 8MP ultrawide camera with a 120° field of view – great for travel and group photos.

On the front, there’s a reliable 16MP selfie camera. It gets the job done for selfies and video calls without overprocessing or gimmicks.

The photos are surprisingly detailed in good lighting. The wide sensor captures vibrant colors with minimal noise, while the telephoto lens delivers clean zoomed-in images without the usual pixelation. The ultrawide camera also does a respectable job, although it’s best used in daylight.

Low-light photography is acceptable, thanks to the Night Mode, but don't expect miracles. Still, it’s a solid upgrade from other phones in this price segment. Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, and while stabilization isn’t flagship-level, it holds up well for casual content.


Battery Life That Lasts

You get a 5,000mAh battery, which is pretty standard these days, but Nothing optimizes it well. Expect a full day (or more) of usage easily. If you're not constantly gaming or shooting 4K video, you might even stretch it to two days.

Charging is handled via 33W wired and 5W reverse charging. No wireless charging here, but at this price point, that’s not a dealbreaker.

With moderate use (browsing, streaming, some social media, and occasional gaming), the phone finishes the day with around 30–40% battery left. That’s impressive. Standby drain is minimal too, making this phone ideal for light to moderate users.

Reverse charging is also useful. You can power up your wireless earbuds or another phone in emergencies—again, one of those thoughtful touches that adds real-world value.


Yes, It Has a Headphone Jack!

This might be surprising: the CMF 2 Pro has a 3.5mm headphone jack. In 2025, that’s a rare sight and a welcome one. Whether you're using wired headphones or plugging into car stereos, it's a nice convenience.

The audio output is clean and loud enough for wired users. And if you prefer wireless, Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable, low-latency connection with good codec support.

You also get stereo speakers, which deliver decent sound for media consumption. It won’t replace your Bluetooth speaker, but it’s loud, clear, and balanced enough for YouTube, podcasts, or casual music.


Clean Software Without the Bloat

Out of the box, the CMF 2 Pro runs Nothing OS 3.2, built on Android. It’s fast, minimal, and surprisingly refreshing compared to the bloat-heavy skins many other phones use.

The software experience here is clean, almost Pixel-like. You don’t get unnecessary pre-installed apps. And the few customizations that are present (like the dot matrix font and minimal widgets) are tastefully done.

You get two years of Android updates and three years of security patches, which is decent support for a mid-range phone. While it would be nice to see three major updates, at this price, it’s a fair trade-off.

Also worth mentioning: the OS has some clever battery optimizations, useful gestures, and smart privacy controls. For those who value simplicity and performance over gimmicks, this UI is a breath of fresh air.



How It Compares to CMF Phone 1

If you already own the CMF Phone 1, here’s a quick comparison:

FeatureCMF Phone 1CMF Phone 2 Pro
Display6.67" AMOLED6.77" AMOLED, Brighter
ProcessorDimensity 7300Dimensity 7300 Pro
Rear Cameras50MP + 2MP50MP + 50MP + 8MP
Front Camera16MP16MP
Battery5,000mAh5,000mAh
Headphone JackNoYes
OS VersionNothing OS 2.6Nothing OS 3.2
PriceStarting ₹15,999Starting ₹18,999

Yes, it’s worth upgrading. The Pro brings in real improvements in display size and brightness, camera capabilities, and even adds useful hardware like the headphone jack.